Vehicle Occupant Detection Camera Position Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle occupant detection systems face challenges in maintaining accurate occupant detection when the camera installed at the upper part of the vehicle interior shifts from its desired position, leading to incorrect positioning of the occupant detection area within the captured image.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a correction mode that utilizes a camera to capture an image of a linearly-extending metal frame when the vehicle door is open. The processor detects the actual position of the metal frame in the correction-purpose image, calculates the shift amount by comparing it to the expected position stored in memory, and updates the occupant detection area position information accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the camera is installed at an upper part of the vehicle interior to capture the occupant detection area, then the system can detect occupants in the vehicle interior, but the camera may shift from its desired position during installation or travel, causing inaccurate occupant detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing images of the metal frame during installation or maintenance when the vehicle door is open. The position information of the metal frame is stored in advance in the memory, creating a reference baseline before actual operation begins. This preliminary action enables the system to later detect and correct any camera position shifts by comparing current metal frame positions against the pre-stored reference positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the position of the metal frame in captured images and compares it against the pre-stored reference position information. When a deviation is detected, the system calculates the shift amount and automatically updates the occupant detection area position information accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the system can detect and correct camera position drift, maintaining accurate occupant detection despite camera movement during installation or travel.
2Measurement precision
If the camera position is corrected using a metal frame visible when the door is open, then the occupant detection area position can be accurately adjusted, but the correction process requires additional time and operational steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the time-consuming calibration process in advance during installation or maintenance when the vehicle door is open and the metal frame is accessible. The position information of the metal frame is captured and stored in the memory before normal operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that the correction data is ready beforehand, eliminating the need for time-consuming corrections during actual vehicle operation and reducing the loss of time during productive use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs the correction process without requiring manual intervention or external calibration tools. When the vehicle door is opened and the metal frame becomes visible, the system autonomously captures the metal frame image, detects its position, calculates the shift amount, and updates the occupant detection area position information. This self-service capability reduces the time and effort required for correction compared to manual calibration methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle occupant detection system includes a processor that extracts, using an occupant detection area position information stored in a memory, an occupant detection area within a captured image of an in-vehicle camera, and detects any occupant in that area. The processor executes a correction mode using a correction-purpose image obtained by capturing, using the camera, a linearly-extending metal frame exposed when a vehicle door is open. In the correction mode, the processor detects an actual position of the metal frame in the correction-purpose image, calculates, as a shift amount, a difference between the actual metal frame position and an expected metal frame position in the correction-purpose image, and updates the occupant detection area position information in the memory such that an area reached by moving the occupant detection area of the current captured image by the shift amount serves as the occupant detection area of a new captured image.